Good art is not hard to find, especially in Houston. From world-class galleries to art festivals, Houston provides art lovers a plethora of opportunities to view and purchase art.
The First Saturday Arts Market will once again be open for business 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturday.
In its fifth year, the First Saturday Arts Market started in 2004 under the name Yale Street Arts Market. After growing in popularity, it was moved to 548 W. 19th St. in the Heights.
More than 60 artists will exhibit work. Visitors can expect to find everything from paintings and sculptures to jewelry and mixed-use media.
Mitch Cohen, founder of the market, did so as part of his commitment to helping local artists as well as his love for the historic neighborhood of the Heights.
‘I’m an artist (myself) and, at the time, I was volunteering with the Heights First Saturday. There weren’t as many places then to display our work, so I started looking,’ Cohen said.
Artists must register online to exhibit their work. With limited space, registration can be competitive.
‘No spaces are reserved. It wouldn’t allow for variety,’ Cohen said.
To celebrate the market’s fifth anniversary, the market will be inviting Mariachi MECA, a band that performed at the very first market in 2004.
Cohen said he was surprised that the market would last this long. Starting as strictly a summer event, he said he is pleased with the market’s success.
‘It was set up in the beginning to give artists the opportunity to display art on a regular basis. I had no idea it would last this long,’ Cohen said.
And the next step for First Saturday Arts Market?’ More fine art.
‘I’ve done this every month for five years; this is my 600th show. I want to turn it over to the artists a little more,’ Cohen said.
